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North Carolina

Cost of a Abscess Drainage Visit
in North Carolina

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

North Carolina's healthcare landscape includes over 2,500 active Abscess Drainage providers across both urban health systems and rural clinics, creating competitive pricing options for patients. Abscess drainage procedures typically cost between $77 and $297, with a median price of $129 based on negotiated insurance rates. Patients across North Carolina can browse all available Abscess Drainage providers to find the most cost-effective option for their specific needs.

Average

$168

Median

$129

Lowest

$77

Highest

$297

Providers

2,542

National avg: $180North Carolina: $168

7% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does abscess drainage (i&d) compare to related procedures in North Carolina?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Skin Biopsy

Tangential biopsy of skin

11102$39$94$2092,357
Joint Injection

Injection into a major joint or bursa

20610$45$80$1582,572
Blood Draw (Venipuncture)

Routine venipuncture for blood sample

36415$2$3$852,799

Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.

The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 10060Incision and drainage of abscess, simple). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.

Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.

This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.

Where this data comes from & what CPT 10060 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 10060 (Incision and drainage of abscess, simple), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 10060 covers: the provider's professional fee for abscess drainage (i&d). It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.

How to read this data

Negotiated Rate

The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.

P5, Median, P95

P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.

What this does not tell you

These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.

Why Abscess Drainage Visit Costs Vary Across North Carolina

North Carolina's healthcare costs run approximately 2% below the national average, reflecting the state's mix of competitive urban markets and lower-cost rural providers. The growing ambulatory surgery center market creates additional options for outpatient procedures like abscess drainage.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

The Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham metro areas concentrate most specialist providers, while rural counties in eastern and western North Carolina face significant access challenges. Patients in remote areas may need to travel 50+ miles to reach the nearest provider, though urgent care centers increasingly offer basic drainage procedures.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-owned outpatient clinics typically charge higher facility fees than independent practices, reflecting the overhead costs of major health systems like Atrium Health and Duke Health. Urgent care centers and ambulatory surgery centers offer middle-ground pricing between emergency departments and primary care offices for abscess drainage procedures.

Insurance Market Competition in North Carolina

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina maintains the largest market share, followed by UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, creating moderate competition that helps control negotiated rates. Rural areas often have limited insurer options, reducing competitive pressure on pricing compared to urban markets with multiple plan choices.

Physician Supply and Demand in North Carolina

With over 2,500 active providers capable of performing abscess drainage across the state, North Carolina maintains adequate supply in urban areas but faces shortages in rural counties. This geographic distribution creates pricing disparities, with rural providers sometimes charging less due to lower overhead costs but urban areas offering more competitive options due to provider density.

JP

Jayant Panwar

CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA

Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.

The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.

Healthcare Data AnalyticsCMS TiC DataInsurance Price Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions — Abscess Drainage Costs in North Carolina

What is the average cost of a Abscess Drainage visit in North Carolina without insurance?

Without insurance, abscess drainage in North Carolina typically costs between $77 and $297, with a median cost of $129 based on negotiated rates between providers and insurers. The final cost depends on the facility type, with urgent care centers generally charging less than hospital emergency departments. Many providers offer cash-pay discounts of 20-40% for uninsured patients who pay at the time of service.

Does North Carolina Medicaid cover Abscess Drainage visits?

Yes, North Carolina Medicaid covers medically necessary abscess drainage procedures when performed by enrolled providers. However, North Carolina has not expanded Medicaid, so coverage is limited to pregnant women, children, elderly adults, and disabled individuals meeting strict income requirements. Adults earning between 44% and 138% of the federal poverty level typically don't qualify for Medicaid in North Carolina.

How do I find an affordable Abscess Drainage near me in North Carolina?

Compare costs between urgent care centers, independent practices, and hospital-based clinics, as prices can vary significantly within the same area. Look for federally qualified health centers that offer sliding fee scales based on income, particularly in rural areas of North Carolina. Many providers offer substantial cash-pay discounts, so ask about self-pay rates even if you have insurance with high deductibles.

What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?

Initial abscess drainage visits typically cost between $77 and $297 in North Carolina, covering both the evaluation and the drainage procedure. Follow-up visits for wound checks or dressing changes usually cost significantly less, often $50-150, since they involve monitoring healing rather than performing the actual drainage procedure. The exact cost difference depends on whether additional procedures like packing removal or wound care are needed during follow-up.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Abscess Drainage visit in North Carolina?

Yes, abscess drainage is considered a qualified medical expense that can be paid for using Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds. This includes the procedure itself, related medications like antibiotics, and any necessary follow-up visits for wound care. Keep all receipts and documentation for your records, as these accounts may require proof of medical necessity for reimbursement.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Abscess Drainage in North Carolina?

Telemedicine cannot replace the need for hands-on abscess drainage, but virtual consultations can help determine whether immediate drainage is necessary or if antibiotic treatment might be attempted first. These telehealth visits typically cost $50-100 in North Carolina, potentially saving money if drainage isn't immediately required. However, most abscesses ultimately need physical evaluation and in-person drainage for proper treatment.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$92
$317

Office visit (CPT 10060)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage
1Wisconsin
Range: $73$779
$317
2North Dakota
Range: $80$611
$277
3Iowa
Range: $85$502
$267
4Minnesota
Range: $80$540
$256
5Massachusetts
Range: $80$464
$237
6Rhode Island
Range: $80$464
$237
7Illinois
Range: $80$459
$230
8Connecticut
Range: $80$464
$230
9Nebraska
Range: $119$308
$228
10New York
Range: $81$464
$227
11Delaware
Range: $76$464
$219
12Pennsylvania
Range: $73$464
$219
13Michigan
Range: $80$464
$216
14West Virginia
Range: $80$456
$216
15New Hampshire
Range: $112$303
$214
16Indiana
Range: $80$456
$210
17Georgia
Range: $83$397
$209
18Wyoming
Range: $80$372
$206
19Maine
Range: $126$254
$200
20Oregon
Range: $80$387
$195
21District of Columbia
Range: $76$346
$194
22Washington
Range: $80$324
$182
23South Dakota
Range: $83$309
$178
24Vermont
Range: $95$290
$178
25New Mexico
Range: $85$274
$172
26Alaska
Range: $80$348
$169
27Colorado
Range: $62$309
$168
28North Carolina
Range: $77$297
$168
29Utah
Range: $40$278
$168
30Kentucky
Range: $80$308
$167
31Hawaii
Range: $80$308
$166
32Montana
Range: $80$308
$156
33Idaho
Range: $80$289
$155
34New Jersey
Range: $44$306
$151
35Arkansas
Range: $85$224
$149
36Maryland
Range: $71$254
$145
37Texas
Range: $80$233
$142
38Virginia
Range: $67$244
$140
39South Carolina
Range: $80$232
$140
40Oklahoma
Range: $79$227
$137
41Tennessee
Range: $83$204
$135
42Louisiana
Range: $76$211
$132
43Missouri
Range: $81$178
$131
44Kansas
Range: $88$177
$129
45Alabama
Range: $76$203
$127
46Ohio
Range: $63$206
$124
47Arizona
Range: $80$192
$124
48Mississippi
Range: $79$187
$124
49California
Range: $15$264
$122
50Nevada
Range: $30$189
$102
51Florida
Range: $35$187
$92
Abscess Drainage (I&D) in Other States